WORDS
Georgie Young
It’s a Saturday night in 1975 and the DJ has just started spinning Donna Summer’s latest track. Clubgoers clatter onto the already-packed dancefloor, dressed in hotpants, bell-bottoms and just about anything with sequins. The platforms are high; the lights are low. And that aroma in the air? It’s not just hairspray mixed with Diorella – it’s the scent of unapologetic freedom.
But you don’t need a time machine to delve back into the disco decade. You just need to cast your eyes over Vilebrequin’s summer 2025 collection, which is inspired by all things glamorous and groovy.
Born at the dawn of disco in 1971, Vilebrequin has always had a hedonistic heartbeat. Its St Tropez-inspired swimwear has been helping stylish sunseekers make a splash for over half a century, with colourful pieces that genuinely spark joy – whether that’s through a mood-boosting pattern or an innovative new fabric that sticks with you as you shimmy.
And its Summer 2025 collection adds a certain ‘eau de disco’ to its already fun-loving fashion, delivered with all the polish you’d expect from a house steeped in craftsmanship. Think stretch-jersey one-pieces in shimmering metallic tones, sequin-effect bikinis that glimmer in the summer sun and jacquard broché turtle trunks that are a dazzling nod to the brand’s Riviera roots.
That’s your sea-to-sunlounger style sorted. But what about when you want to hit the tennis court – or stroll down the beach on a sun-drenched date? Turn your attention to the ready-to-wear, which channels the collection’s core ’70s ethos in a more pared-back way; shorts are shorter, dresses are dressier and playsuits leave more room to play, thanks to looser silhouettes and whisper-soft fabrics. Just add one of the monogrammed matching accessories and you’re good to go.
But despite looking to the past for inspiration, this is also a collection that’s firmly forward looking. Vilebrequin’s deep commitment to sustainability runs through each piece like a fine thread, with over 85 per cent of its creations now incorporating natural, organic or recycled materials. And its team is constantly innovating, too – its next creation is shorts tailored from pure linen. Sustainable and sophisticated? Mais oui.
Some brands make clothes; Vilebrequin makes a mood. And this summer, it’s shimmying straight into your suitcase (disco ball not included).
